Steam-regenerative accumulator.



mfasmzo. PATENTBD DEC. 25, 1906.

" A. 0.1:. RATEAU. v

STEAM RBGENERATIV'B AGGUMULATOR.

- APPLICATION ruthnxa. 190a.

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N0. 839,320. I PATENTBD DEC. 25, 1906. I A. G. E. RATEAU. STEAM REGENERATIVE AOGUMULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED KAR.3,'1905. I

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U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTE CAMILLE EDMOND RATEAU, .OF PARIS, FRANCE. STEAM-RE GENERATIVE' ACCUMULATOR Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application-filed March 3, 1906. Serial No. 248,189.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUsrE- CAMrLLE EDMoNn RATEAU," a citizen of the United States, residing at Paris, France, have in that illustrated in my reissued Letters Patent, No. 12,295, dated December 27, 1904;, though the invention need not be restricted precisely to the apparatus disclosed in said patent.

My invention hasseveral objects, one bemg the provision of means whereby distinct bodies of water-or other suitable liquid may be maintained in' a iven'vessel substantially at suitable leve s, to which end the horizontally-dis osed diaphragm is placedin thevessel w en twobodies of liquid .are

desired therein and as many additional diaphragms as there are additional bodies of .water or liquid desired, an overflow-duct extending through each diaphragm, so that the water or liquid sup orted by said diaphragm may not 'excee a given level, but

will pass tothebody of 1i uid below thediaphra m, If this bodyo liquid should be the iwermost bod a duct or opening is rovided whereby t e level of-said latter b0 y is approximately maintained. This latter feature of the apparatus, preferably resides in a float-chamber having commumcation with the ortion of the vessel in which the lowermost ody of liquid is maintained both above and below the desired level of said liquid, a valve, operated by the float in said chamber, rising when the level of the liquidexceeds a redetermined plane to permlt the li uid to edischarged, whereby the said liqui is approximately maintained at the selected level. The p1 e that affords communication between the odies of liquid is preferably adjustable in length, so'that the level of the liquid immediately in association with said p pe may be regulated. A se arate pipe is preferably employed that a ords communication betweeuthe spaces above the bodies of liquid, so that the steamy as it is regenerated may collect in the uppermost space and be thence discharged to erform the work to'which it is adapted.

- readily find entrance to the uid. When. the'piping that is to convey the steam into the b0 ies of liquid is inserted a considerable distance within said bodies, 1 preferably so modify itsconstruction that the water coming within the pi es when the apparatus is idle, or partia' y so, may q'ulckly find exit, so that the steam" may ortion of the piping within the liquid to e thence dis charged into the liquid, so that it may be regenerated. This modification of the pipin may be used in the apparatus of my reissued patent or the. invention of my present application and mayreside in the formation of for which purbe employed,-

a slot in its bottom portion, pose parallel flanges may preferably extending below the i ing, so as to promote the Circulation 0 t e liquid, which is desirable in the operation of the accumulator, or if it is not desired to form a continuous slot in the bottom of the piping displaced openings of large size may be substituted,-short pipes of the size of the openings communicating therewith also. for the purpgse of promoting the, circulation of the Another feature of my invention that may be practiced without re ard to the number of bodies of liquid withm the vessel resides in the provision of a lurality of pipes located substantiall a reastthat is, extending into the ody of liquid independently of each other-and the provision of a pipe upon the exterior of the accumulator vessel provided with :a series of taps or branches, one for each of said pipes within the vessel, the exterior pipe bein above the level ofthe liquid body, so that w en the a paratus is idle, or partially'so, the liquid Wlll not rise within the said exterior ipe.

Another feature of my invention resides in the enlargement of the piping within the vessel where it communicates with the piping upon the exterior of the vessel, so steam to be regenerated is admitted to the said piping the water may quickly be ushed out of the balance of the piping wit 'n the vessel that is of smaller. cross-section.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of means whereby the liquid within the vessel may not be forced back through .the piping that conve s the steam to be re enerated to the vessel'of the accumulator, or in apparatus as hitherto. conthat as the structed there is danger of the ressure with- 1 Like parts are indicated by similar charin the accumulator forcing the iquid (Water) back through the pipe that conveys this steam to be regenerated, which may occasion great damage, particularly where the steam to be regenerated is supplied from the exhaust of an engine, as is usually the case. Obviously the backflow of water through this pipe would cause great inconvenience, if not very harmful results, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such results are likely to happen when the engine stops, for then the pressure within the accumulator vessel is not sulliciently counteracted by any pressure remaining in the pipe. In my present embodiment of this feature of the apparatus I provide a valve located in the piping at such a point that the liquid in the vessel will be prevented from lowering materially below the level at which the liquid is to be maintained, for the said valve will operate when the liquid has reached the same in its backflow.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of means whereby when the accumulator and the engine associated therewith are in operation the pressure within the piping may be maintained substantially at a predetermined level, so that the required cushion in'the cylinder of the engine from ylvhch the exhaust-steam is supplied may be Another feature of my invention resides in the interposition of an enlargement in the piping that is to convey the steam to be regenerated, in which enlargement the steam to be regenerated is first received before it is passed to the accumulator, so as to eliminate sudden impacts of steam from the source of steam-supply, from which the steam that is to be regenerated is passed through the piping to the accumulator. There may be pro: vided heat-retaining bodies in this enlargement or steam-reservoir to break the impact of the impulses of steam, thereby to obtain a partial initial regulation of the flow ofsteam and a partial exchange of temperatures between the steam and said heat-retaining bodies.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings;

illustrating the preferredembodiment thereof, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation, partially in section, of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is aview in section of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one form of piping. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of another form of piping. Fig. 5 IS a view in longitudinal section, illustrating the enlargement of the pipe within the ves sel at the place where the pipe upon the exterior of the vessel communicates therewith.

acters of reference throughout the different figures.

The main vessel 1 has a pipe 2 upon its exterior, located above the level of the corresponding body of liquid within the vessel, each branch of the pipe being located above each body of liquid when there is a plurality of bodies of liquid within the vessel. The piping 2 has downwardlyextending branches 3, that communicate with the endportions4 of the piping within the vessel, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 5, these end portions being larger than the balance of the piping within the vessel for the purpose hitherto described. The level of the water may be, as indicated, at the dotted'line 5 when the accumulator is not working and as indicated at the dotted line 6 when the accumulator is working, the enlargement 4 enabling the newly-incoming steam more readily to effect evacuation or partial evacuation of the liquid previously in the pipe. This evacuation may be further promoted by providing the pipes 7 at the bottom of the )iping within the vessel, which said piping is designated by the numeral 8. The iping 7 may be omitted, if desired, but is preferred, as the water issuing through the openings in the bottom of the piping 8 is caused more actively to circulate within the vessel. If preferred, the bottom of the piping 8 may be longitudinally slotted, and this slot may be continued, if desired, between parallel flanges 9 for the same purpose of effecting circulation of the water within the vessel. Steam may issue through the piping 8 through the openings 10 in said pi ing, located above the slotted bottoms o' the 'ipes, the steam eventually finding access a ove the levels of the bodies of liquid 11 12, the body of liquid 11 being preferably in the same vessel with the body of liquid 12, for which purpose the vessel has a diaphragm 13 extending across the same. A pipe 14 affords communication between the space above the bodies of liquid 12, whereby the regenerated steam may be ultimately received in the topmost space within the vessel, to be thence discharged through the outlet 15 at a unified pressure to perform the work to which it is adapted. A safety-valve 16 may be disposed at any suitable point, so that the pressure of the steam will not exceed a predetermined maximum, it bein indicatedrfor the sake of clearness in a diagrammatic illustration at the top of the vessel 1.

/In order that the bottom body of liquid 12 may be maintained substantiall at a suitable level, a float-chamber 17 is'providcd, which chamber has communication with the vessel 1 both above and below the said level,

For the pur valve 18 is operated by afloat 20, connected therewith. Incorder that the level of the liquid in any body above the body 12 may be maintained, I employ a pipe 21, that communicates with the space below the d1aphragm 1 3 arid with the space above the body 11 (or other upper body of liquid,) said pipe 21 desirably having an extensible section 22, whereby the upper mouth of said pipe 21 may be elevated or lowered to determinethe oint at which the liquid 11 will flow into said pi e, whereby the level that is desired for the ody 11 may be regulated.

ose of thisiadjustment I preferably rovi e a shaft- 23, that extends throug a, stuffing-box in the wall of the vessel 1, which shaft terminates in a wheel 24, sothatthe shaft may be turned to-turn the-section 22 in jmeclianical engagement therewith, which section: 22 has threaded engagement with the balance ofthe pipe 21,

whereby said section may be elevated and lowered for the purpose stated. Any suitable structure within the vessel may be emsteam from the com artment 11 may find' i aplate 25 for this ployed for reinforcing the support for the elements 14,21, and 22, there being indicated uppose, to whichplate the pipe 14 is attac near its upper end and to which plate a perforated bell-shaped extension 26 of the fixed portion of the pipe 21 is fastenedf It is to be understood that the'plate 25 1s merely a brace and does not extend the length of the chamber 1, so that access to the top 0 the chamber 1 and through the duct 15. A- valve 27 may be upon the backflow of the said p the vessel 1, or

included in the piping 2, that -is o erated li uid Wit in the vessel, so thatsaid liquid wil not reach the engineor other source-of steam-supply from whlchsteam that is to be regeneratedis received.

In order that a given' pressure maybe maintained in the piping while the entire apparatus is in operation, -a valve 28 is employed that is preferably subject both to pressure within the I piplngand to ressure of the steam from a source supp emental .withrespect to that source from which the steam that is to. be regenerated is received.

; This source of supplemental pressure may be it may ,be a source distinct from; the vessel for example, 'the' boiler from which the engine is operated. In order. that thesteam that acts, so to speak, as a steam-reservoir,- in which reservolr heat-retaimn for the purpose hitherto set forth. The function of: the valve 28 may be useful whether liquidor other heat-retaining means is'employed Within the vessel; I 1

p y may not be received 'from the piping 2 within the vessel 1 with'im pulses that are too violent, I provide'in' the ping 'an enlargement .or header 29,-

bo.di es 30, such as a pile of iron rails, may '0 disposed I claim I v 1. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as aheat-carrier, piping for directing steam into the liquid, a duct or opening-for substantially maintaining theliquid at a given level, a

tially maintaining the liquid at a given level, 'a steam-escape valve, said vessel having an outlet above said'level-for' conveying steam from said vessel, said piping projectin within the liquid and having openings t ough which steam escapesinto the liquid and being slotted at its bottomp'ort'ion for the dischar e of liquid therethrough, said openings in t e piping being provided with a continuation-or passage for the purpose of promoting circulation in the liquid. j

3'. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, said liquid beingsubdivided into a two bodies, one elevated with respect to the other, piping for directing steam to the liqu1d, a pipe, variable in lengthfefl ecting a passage between the spaces occupied by the two bodies of liquid providin a limiting-level for the upper body of liqui ,a duct oropenim for substantially maintaining the liquid 0 the lower bodyat a given level,and a steam- I escape valve, said vessel having an outlet above a liquid-level for conveying the regenerated steam "to its point of application.

4. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing li uid as a heat-carrier, said liquid being ,su divided into a pluralityof bodies, one elevated with respect to another, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pipe, variable in length, efi'ecting a passage between the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid roviding a limiting-level for an upper body 0 liquid, a duct or openin for substantially maintaining the liquid 0 the lower body at a given 'level,"a steam-escalpe valve, said vessel having an outlet above a 1 quid-level for conveyingthe regenerated 7 steam to its point of application, and means operable from the exterior of the accumulator for adjusting the length of said pi q 5. In a steam-regenerative accumu ator in combination, "a vessel containing li uid as a heat-carrier,- said liquid being .su divided into a plurality of bodies, oneelevated with respect to another, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pipe, variable-in length, effecting a passage'between the spacesoccupied by iro.

the bodies of liquid providing a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid, a duct or opening for substantially maintaining the liquid of the lower body at a given level, a steam-escape valve, said vessel having an outlet above a liquid-level for conveying theregenerated steam to its point of application, and piping affording communication between the spaces above the said bodies of liquid for the accumulation of regenerated steam.

6. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, said liquid being subdivided into a plurality of bodies, one elevated with respect to another, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pipe, variable in length, efiecting a passage between the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid providing a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid, a duct or opening for substantially maintaining the liquid of the'lower body at a given level, a steam-escape valve, said vessel having an outlet above a liquid-level for conveying the regenerated steam to its point of application, means operable from the exterior of the accumulator for adjusting the length of said pipe, and piping affording communication between the spaces above the said bodies of liquid for the accumulation of regenerated steam.

7. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, pipingfor directing steam into,

the liquid, said piping projecting within the liquid and having openings-through which steam escapes into the liquid and being slotted at its bottom portion for the discharge of liquid therethrough.

8. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, piping for directing steam into the liquid, said piping projecting within the liquid and having openings through which steam escapes into the liquid and being slotted at its bottom portion for the discharge of liquid therethrough, the slot at the bottom of the p'ping being provided with a continuation or passage.

9. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing li uid as a heat-carrier, said liquid being su divided into a plurality1 of bodies, one elevated with respect to anot er, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pi e, variable in length, effecting .a passa e etween the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid providing a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid.

10. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, said liquid bein subdivided into a plurality of bodies, one e evated with respect to another, piping for directing steam 'to the liquid, a pi e, variable in length, effecting a passage iet'wecn the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid providing a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid, a duct or opening for substantially maintaining the liquid of the lower body at a given level, and means operable from the exterior of the accumulator for adjusting the length of said )ipe.

1]. In a steam-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing li uid as a heat-carrier, said liquid bein sub ivided into a plurality of bodies, one e evated with respect to another, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pi e, variable in length, effecting a passage ietwee-n the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid providing a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid, and piping affording eonnnunieation between the spaces above the said bodies of liquid for the accumulation of regenerated steam.

12. In a stea]n-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing li uidas a heat-carrier, said liquid being sub ivided into a plurality of bodies, one elevated with respect to another, piping for directing steam to the liquid, a pipe, variable in length, effecting a passage between the spaces occupied by the bodies of liquid provldmg a limiting-level for an upper body of liquid, means operable from the exterior of the accumulator for adjusting the length of said pipe, and piping ailording communication between the spaces above the said bodies of liquid for the accumulation of regenerated steam.

13. In a stea1n-regenerative accumulator in combination, a vessel containing liquid as a heat-carrier, )iping for directing steam into the liquid, sai piping projecting within the liquid and being slotted at its bottom portion for the discharge of liquid therethrough, the slot at the bottom of the piping being provided with a continuation or passage.

14. A steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containin liquid, piping horizontally-dis osed in the iquid and longitudinally slotte at its bottom for pcrmittin the discharge of steam into the liquid, an downwardly depending flanges margining the discharge portions of the piping.

15. A steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containing liquid, iping horizontally disposed in the liquid an apertured at its bottom for permitting the discharge of steam into the liquid, and downwardly-depending flanges margining the discharge portions of the piping.

16. A steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containing liquid, piping extending into the liquid for discharging steam therein and having a ortion rojecting above the liquid-level, an piping or leading steam to the piping Within the vessel, having communication directly with the portion of the piping above the liquid-level and also with the portion of the piping within the liquid.

17. A steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containing liquid, piping extending mto the liquid for discharging steam .therein and having a ortion projecting -the piping above the liquid-level.

above the liquid-level, an piping for leading steam-to the piping within the vessel,.having communication directly with the portion of 18. A'steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containing liquid, piping extending into the liquid, serving to discharge steam into the liquid along the length of the piping, the portion of the piping within the liquid being substantially horizontally disposed and having the discharge portions thereof located in the bottomof the piping. j

19. A steam-regenerative accumulator including a vessel containing liquid, piping extending into the liquid and havinga portion projecting above the liquid-level, said piping servin to discharge steam into the liquid along the Iength-of the piping.

20. The combination with steam-regenerative accumulator apparatus including a pl urality of heat-storage devices, each capable of regenerating steam, and a conduit common to the steam-spaces for said devices for collecting the steam from said devices and unifying the pressure thereof, said heat-storage devices including liquid as heat-retainers, said conduit having communication directly with the Y steam-spaces above the liquid bodies, whereby the steam after being regenerated is collected without passing through. said liquid.

21. In combination, a steam-reservoir, a steam-regenerative accumulator apparatus 1 including a plurality of heat-storage devices connected thereto and receiving steam therefrom, and acommon duct or passage receiving steamfrom said heat-storage devices to convey steam therefrom.

22. A steam-regenerative accumulator apparatus including a plurality of heat-retaining bodies of liquid, one disposed above another, and means affording communication between said bodies and serving adjustably to determine their relative levels.

23. A steam-regenerative accumulator apparatus including a plurality of heat-retaining bodies of liquid, and means affording communication between said bodies andserving adjustably to determine their relative levels.

24. A steam-regenerative accumulatorapparatus including a pluralityof heat-retaining bodies of liquid,-and means serving adjustably to determine the relative levels of said li uid bodies.

25. n combination, a steam-reservoir for receiving steam, a steam-regenerative accumulator into which steam is discharged from the steam-reservoir, a source of supplemental steam, and means controlledby the aforesaid steam for governing the supply of supplemental steam to the aforesaid steam.

26. The combination with a steam-regen erative accumulator containing a heat-re-' taining body for regenerating steam, a source of supplemental steam, and valve mechanism pipe-sections located abreast ing the supply of supplemental steam to .said

accumulator.

27. In combination, a steam-regenerative accumulator, a source of supplemental steam, and automatic means for gove the admission of additional steam from said source to the accumulator.

28. In combination, a steam-reservoir for receiving steam, a steam-regenerative accumulator into which steam is discharged from the steam-reservoir, a source of supplemental steam, and automatic meansfor furnishing a supplemental supply of steam to the accumulator.

29. An engine, steam-regenerative accu mulator apparatus including a plurality of heat-storage devices receivin exhaust-steam from the engine, each ca'p fie of regenerating-steam, and a conduit common to the steam-spaces for said devices for collecting the steam from said devices and unifying the pressure thereof.

30. In combination, a steam-re enerative accumulator ap aratus having a p urality of distinct liquid heat retaining bodies, and

or projecting the steam into said bodies.

'31. In combination, a steam-regenerative accumulator apparatus having a p urality at distinct heat-retaining bodies, p1pesect1ons located abreast for projectingthe steam into said apparatus, and a conduit in communication with all of the steam-spaces for the heatretaining bodies for receiving the steam-discharge.

32. In combination, a steam-re enerative accumulator apparatus having a p urality of distinct heat-retaining bodies, and pipe-sections located abreast for conveyingthe steam to said bodies.

33. In a steam-regenerator in combination a plurality of liquid heat-retaining bodies,- piping directing the steam into said bodies and piping serving to equalize the pressure of the steam regenerated by the heat-retaining bodies and having direct communication with the steam-spaces belonging to said heat-retaining bodies.

34. In a steam-regenerator in combina- .tion a plurality of heat-retaining bodies, piping directing the steam to said bodies and piping serving to equalize the pressure of the steam generated by the heat-retaining bodies and having direct communication with the steam-spaces belonging to said heat-retaining bodies.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of February, A. D. 1905.

AUGUSTE CAMILLE EDMOND RATEAU. Witnesses:

P. J. A. OHALEIL, JOHN BAKER, EDWARD W. SIEREL. 

